The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) has been awarded a grant from the European Union (EU) to expand its treatment work in Central and Eastern Africa. This funding will increase mental health services to clients suffering from the effects of torture and war trauma as well as develop local capacity to sustain such healing treatment for the long run. CVT's work represents the organization's belief that healing the effects of torture is integral to the process of rebuilding a post-conflict society.
April 22, 2009
Center Treats Liberian Torture Survivors in the Twin Cities and Operates Treatment Center in Liberia
The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to extend the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status of thousands of Liberian refugees living in the U.S. for an additional 18 months. Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center-two suburban Minnesota communities where many Liberian families live-would be severely impacted by the mass deportations.
March 20, 2009
Executive Order Reflects Principles Called for by Bipartisan Coalition of National Security Experts, Retired Military Leaders & Intelligence Professionals
President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order that bans torture. Since June 2008, a bipartisan coalition of more than 200 retired military leaders, intelligence experts, security chiefs and faith leaders has called for the president to sign an Executive Order to ban torture and cruelty. The bipartisan group of supporters includes six former Secretaries of State or Defense, three former National Security Advisors, four former members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and more than forty retired flag officers.
January 22, 2009
2008
September 11-12, 2008, Merce rUniversity, Evangelicals for Human Rights, and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, in cooperation with the Center for Victims of Torture and other organizations are hosting a national conference on torture on September 11-12, 2008. A National Summit on Torture: Religious Faith, Torture, and our National Soul is organized by David P. Gushee, President of Evangelicals for Human Rights and Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at MercerUniversity.
This two day conference looks at how we have gotten where we are since September 11, 2001, and how we return to a rejection of torture without exceptions. This event will be infused with moral conviction drawn from religious faith, and conference speakers will reflect a variety of faith perspectives. This conference is open to all who will come. Religious Faith, Torture, and our National Soul aims to model a kind of discourse, Christian, interfaith, and otherwise, that opens doors for dialogue rather than closes them. Learn more here.
The Center for Victims of Torture, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and Evangelicals for Human Rights launch a national effort to end torture along with a bipartisan group that includes six former Secretaries of State or Defense, four former members of the Joint Chiefs, top officials from every administration since Vietnam, Evangelical, Baptist, Catholic and other religious leaders.
June 25, 2008
Statement by Douglas A. Johnson, Executive Director, On Senate Intelligence Committee Passage of Intelligence Authorization Act of 2009."
May 2, 2008
A statement by Douglas A. Johnson, Executive Director on the President's veto of legislation that would prohibit abusive interrogation tactics by the CIA and contractors.
March 8, 2008
Darfur Documentaries Showing April 27, 28 and 30
Two powerful documentaries on the genocide in Darfur will be shown in the Twin Cities next week. The films will be followed by a discussion with local experts on the Darfur crisis. Darfur Now and The Devil Came on Horseback are free and open to the public. Download this Word document for details.
Kenyans are invited to join the Center for Victims of Torture for a talking circle to reflect on self-care and healing. The talking circle will gather Sunday, February 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Church, 7025 Halifax Avenue North, Brooklyn Center. Directions: Call 763-561-5100 or click here for a map. Contact Dr. Patricia Shannon at 612-436-4806 for questions about the talking circle.
Darfur Documentary Showing January 21
CVT is cosponsoring a special screening of the Darfur documentary, The Devil Came on Horseback. The film will be screened Monday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Patrick, 6800 St. Patrick’s Lane in Edina. A post-film discussion will be led by Edina Mayor Jim Hovland, State Senator Sandy Pappas, Congressman Jim Ramstad, Hugh Palmer with the American Refugee Committee and Dr. Ellen Kennedy with the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota.
2007
The Amel Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims in Sudan and the Center for Rehabilitation and Abolition of Torture in Cameroon join 16 other torture treatment centers in CVT’s International Capacity-Building Project (ICB). The goal of the project is to improve the long term sustainability of indigenous torture treatment centers and improve healing services for torture survivors.
November 1, 2007
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and MAP for Nonprofits honored CVT with the 2007 Nonprofit Excellence Award. The award recognizes the professional practices CVT uses in governance, financial management, transparency and fundraising.
October 11, 2007
CVT is cosponsoring with the Genocide Intervention Network-Minnesota a serives of events to raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur. Dr. Sam Totten will speak about his investigation in Darfur Thursday, October 11. "Camp Darfur," a simulated refugee camp, will be in front of the State Capitol October 13. And the documentary, "The Devil Came on Horseback," will be shown through October 15 at the Bell Museum.
The African Food Shelf Advisory Council will gather on April 20, 2007 to celebrate the launch of the African food shelf serving Northwestern Hennepin County, including Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. Monetary and food donations are welcome
2006
CVT's reflections on the last year and challenges for 2007.
December 29, 2006
CVT notes that the report, The Psychology of Torture, supports what CVT has said for years: Torture is unreliable and impedes gathering truthful information. The report was written by retired senior military interrogators and psychologists.
November 16, 2006
CVT announced it will open offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo to provide community mental health services to torture survivors and build resources for healing.
September 28, 2006
Many refugees fleeing political conflict and violence are affected by their experiences but have not spoken to their doctors about them, according to a survy conducted by the Center for Victims of Torture.
August 29, 2006
CVT is sponsoring "Neutralizing the Effects of War and Building Healthy Communities." The training is free and open to all Liberians concerned about the long-term physical and emotional implications of war trauma.
August 19, 2006
Rep. Betty McCollum and two survivors of torture join CVT on June 26 at the State Capitol to honor the anniversary of the Convention Against Torture as supporters rededicate themselves toward the protection and healing of torture survivors.
June 26, 2006
CVT Liberia joins local and international NGOs in Monrovia organize events to celebrate June 26, UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, and to commit to efforts for a torture-free Liberia.
June 21, 2006
The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) in collaboration with Liberian NGOS recognize the coming into force of the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) in Liberia.
June 21, 2006
CVT is cosponsoring with the Tibetan Youth Congress of Minnesota a discussion with Palden Gyatso, a Tibetan monk and torture survivor, will speak June 14 at 6 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis.
June 9, 2006
CVT announced it would expand its counseling and community health efforts to Lofa County, in northern Liberia, an area almost entirely depopulated during the country's 14-year civil war and now the focus of refugee return efforts organized by the United Nations.
April 20, 2006
CVT's Guinea Team was honored by the American Psychological Association with the 2006 International Humanitarian Award for its work with refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia. Listen to an interview with Dr. Shanee Stepakoff, clinical psychologist with the CVT Guinea Team, on Minnesota Public Radio.
January 17, 2006
Ellie Lucas of Tunheim Partners was selected to chair the board of directors for the Center for Victims of Torture
January 16, 2006
2005
Executive Douglas A. Johnson offered support for the agreement between President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) on McCain's anti-torture amendment. Johnson said the amendment clearly prohibits use of waterboarding, stress techniques and sleep deprivation.
December 15, 2005
Johnson Testifies at Gonzales Hearing
Douglas A. Johnson, CVT's executive director, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee as it considered the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General. While not taking a stand on the nomination of Mr. Gonzales, Douglas provided background information on torture and its impact. He was the only leader from the nonprofit human rights community invited to testify.
January 6, 2005Read Doug's oral testimony here.Read Doug's submitted written testimony here.
St. Paul City Council member Jay Benanav, Ward 4, is pitching in to help the Minnesota-based Center for Victims of Torture complete work on its new St. Paul healing center. He will join more than 25 area volunteers painting the interior of the renovated house in the Selby-Dale neighborhood.
November 11, 2003
Tony Reeler, executive director of the Amani Trust, will receive the 2002 Eclipse Award for extraordinary service on behalf of torture survivors at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2002. The Amani Trust has treated torture survivors and documented cases of torture and ill-treatment in Zimbabwe since 1993.
June 25, 2002
